We visited the Mekong Delta region in the southwest part of the country. It is the food basket of Vietnam. We drove past fields of rice and family farms.

The small buildings in the photo are grave sites for the family members

View of the Mekong River

Floating villages along the Mekong

We stopped for a potty break and some refreshments. This is a tea cozy made from a coconut shell.

Fred relaxes in one of the hammocks.

We stopped in the small village of Ben Tre for a walk through their orchards. This is our guide.

There was a variety of fruit hanging from the trees such as bananas, coconuts, mangoes, papaya, jack fruit, etc.

Fish trap

Grave

A local woman rode through the village selling lottery tickets. Our guide, Harry, decided to buy one.

 

We boarded sampans for a ride along one of the village's beautiful and peaceful canals.

We were given the traditional conical hats that all the natives wear and found them to be surprisingly comfortable and airy.

 

The village is especially famous for their coconut plantations and coconut candy.

Husking the coconut. Click here to see short video of process.

The coconut's mlk and flesh are boiled down to a sticky mass that is allowed to harden.

Then the candy is cut into small peices and wrapped in edible rice paper.

This woman is harvesting and bundling pennywort which is good for detoxing the liver. She prepares about 1000 pounds and makes $7!

Making a broom. Click here to see short video of process.

We boarded a boat for a cruise on the Mekong River.

View of the bridge that we drove over. It was built in 2012. Before then you had to take a ferry across the Mekong.

Sand barges were everywhere.

Catfish Farm

We stopped at a riverside resort and restaurant for lunch

The men's restroom.

Our lunch menu.

Deep fried elephant ear fish.

Despite its looks it was quite delicious.

The round globe is a deep fried sticky rice ball.

Back on board the boat for dessert.

Fishing Fleet

River front property.

Our farewell dinner.